This seems like a harmless tube. In fact, it was harmless: Israeli farmers used the first version to scare birds from crop fields. Then, somebody converted it into a crowd dispersion mechanism. And then, they discovered it could kill.

The Thunder Generator produces shock waves that result in a loud sonic boom and extreme air pressure.

Using a patented process involving Pulse Detonation Technology (PDT), the system feeds the gas-air mixture into one or more so-called impulse chambers or cannon barrels, where the burning fuel detonates and intensifies in force as it travels through the chamber, exiting in a rapid-fire succession of high-velocity shock bursts.

The Thunder Generator uses mixture of liquefied petroleum, cooking gas, and air to create explosions, which in return generate shock waves capable of stunning people from 30 to 100 meters away. At that range, the weapon is absolutely harmless, making people run in panic when they feel the sonic blast hitting their bodies. However, at less than ten meters, the Thunder Generator could either cause permanent damage or kill any person.

According to company data, the system generates 60 to 100 bursts per minute, each traveling at about 2,000 meters per second and lasting up to 300 milliseconds.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has approved the use and sale of a new weapon that simulates a feeling of being shot in those targeted.

The cannon called “the Thunder Generator” has been produced by the Netanya-based technology development advisory firm, ArmyTec company, and is capable of creating shockwaves that pass through people.

The feeling of “being hit” produced by the stun gun is said to be similar to that of standing in front of a firing squad.

The weapon uses a mixture of liquefied petroleum, cooking gas and air which traveling through the cannon barrel detonates and intensifies until it exits.

The process generates a succession of 60 to 100 high-velocity shock bursts per minute, each traveling at about 2,000 meters per second and lasting up to 300 milliseconds, according to a report by Defense News website, citing company data.

“That’s more than enough for hours of continuous operation,” said ArmyTec President Shlomo Tabak, a former Israeli military special operations officer, describing the new device as “controlled and safe.”

It comes in a single-barrel configuration, but according to the manufacturer—ArmyTec—you can mount it everywhere, and combine it with other barrels to create even more powerful design. You can even mount several cannons on different places, and synchronize them so you can create a sound barrier perimeter capable of dissuading your enemies. In fact, you can even make the sonic wave to turn 90 degrees to fire around corners, all by using a curved barrel design.

Ephraim Sneh, a former Israeli defense minister, said more effort should be put into deploying such systems. “Use of nonlethal means saves lives and helps prevent violent deterioration of riots and mass protests,” he said.

Sneh said the Thunder Generator is a good example of a safe, inexpensive and simple alternative to the use of lethal force.

System Characteristics

Shockwaves travel for very long distances creating a sonic-boom effect